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2014 Gibson ES-359, 'Black Beauty'
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Serial #: ME 401716 Body size at lower bout: 14". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/12th frets: .86/.97
Materials: Arched maple body with solid maple center block; 22 fret Honduran mahogany neck; all original gold hardware includes Grover Rotomatic tuners; ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge; 5-ply bound tortoise pickguard; black barrel volume and tone knobs; 3 way pickup selector switch. Kent Armstrong Handwound PAF pickups installed, original gold '57 Classic PAF pickups included.
Notes: Responding to demand for lighter, more comfortable semi-hollow thinline guitars, in 1996 the Gibson Custom Shop debuted the ES-336 model, followed the next year by the Paul Jackson Jr. ES-346. In 2002, the CS-336 and 356 were added to the line, and finally the ES-339 in 2007, which remains in production at this writing. Built with the same scale length and center block as the venerable ES-335, these guitars all had a more compact 14" lower bout, right between the ES and Les Paul size bodies.
Finally in 2008, Gibson created the pinnacle of the series with the premium ES-359 model, which added ES-355/Super 400/LP Custom peghead and fingerboard inlays, all gold hardware, and a multi-bound tortoise pickguard, as seen on Gibson's top line archtops. While most examples were finished in sunburst, a few were factory appointed in a gleaming ebony lacquer: the Black Beauties.
At just 7lb 8oz, this beauty is notably lighter that the full size semi-hollows, but retains the signature sustain and feedback resistance of the classic thinlines. Now fitted with Kent Armstrong Handwound PAFs, the guitar has the warmth and versatility of the pickups many bespoke builders regard as the gold standard of jazz humbuckers. And the lucky new owner can mix and match them at will, with the original gold '57 Classic PAF pickups, which are included in the case.
The innovative Memphis Tone Circuit wiring preserves faithful high frequency response when the volume control is dialed down as well. With its gentle 30/60 C profile neck, the guitar plays effortlessly, with fine original medium jumbo frets, and smooth low action over a fresh high precision setup. Free of pick, thumb, or fingerboard wear, the guitar has been carefully played, with some scattered scuffing on the back, and a few incidental finish nicks here and there.
When Gibson supplied instruments directly from the factory to celebrity performers and others, the pegheads were often stamped "DEMO" on the back, and this guitar is no exception. Discontinued in 2016, the ES-359 is now a hard-to find prize on the vintage market, and a handsome find for the working performer and weekend warrior alike. Complete with original brown Gibson logo plush lined hardshell case, with silk coverlet and Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity, this is the first one of these stunners we have found since they first hit the market. One only: so call now.
Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. Pickups and polepieces balanced, electronics and grounding tested and verified. Action is set to 4-5/64" at the 12th fret, with light relief.
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